ROLLING ON THE RIVER
MAGNOLIA BLUFFS CASINO
Natchez , Mississippi
SITED JUST BELOW THE HISTORIC Roth Hill in Natchez , Mississippi , Magnolia Bluffs Casino was built over the Mississippi River to comply with the state ’ s gaming regulations . The project is supported on nearly 50 steel piles , giving patrons the feeling that they are floating on the river and providing a real connection to the site often overlooked in typical casino designs .
Using rustic materials and local vernacular , EV & A Architects collaborated with the Natchez Historical Society to replicate an early 20th century cedar mill that was located here nearly a century ago . A municipal pedestrian river walk winds itself around the building ’ s riverside perimeter , providing access to the casino ’ s “ back-porch ” amenities , complete with a fire pit and breathtaking views of the Mississippi and majestic sunsets .
The project ’ s interior further reinforces the treasured history of this site by displaying historical art pieces of the mills that once were an integral part of the river ’ s landscape .
The 40,000-square-foot facility features an open gaming floor with 600 slot machines and a complete complement of table games . A centrally located sports bar , a 180-seat themed buffet and a 75-seat fine dining specialty restaurant complete the project ’ s offerings .
— FRANK LEGATO
OWNER : Premier Gaming Group
ARCHITECT AND INTERIOR DESIGNER : EV & A Architects , Inc .
CONTRACTOR : RA Edgin Construction PROGRAM MANAGER : John Fox , FOXCOR COST : $ 25 million
ISLAND LIFE
MARGARITAVILLE AND LANDSHARK BAR & GRILL PIER
Atlantic City , New Jersey
RESORTS CASINO HOTEL HIRED SOSH Architects and interiors firm McBride Design to recharge the Atlantic City property with a series of Jimmy Buffett-themed attractions . This complex project contains three main parts : Margaritaville Casino and 5 O ’ Clock Somewhere Bar ; Margaritaville Café , retail store , and coffee shop ; and Landshark Bar & Grill Pier . Paying close attention to the particulars of Resorts ’ oceanfront site and its existing Art Deco architecture , SOSH and McBride set out to bring a new level of energy and activity to the Boardwalk property . The completed design blends the dignity of the historic building with the lighthearted island lifestyle , refashioning Resorts into a dynamic entertainment destination .
Margaritaville Casino , featuring 160 slot machines , brings the relaxed atmosphere of the tropics to Resorts ’ gaming floor . SOSH and McBride employed a menagerie of festive colors , island-inspired patterns ( such as stylized wave and palm elements ), and select Boardwalk views to create this open yet intimate space .
The 5 O ’ Clock Somewhere Bar , featuring a wave-colored glass-tile bar and a wooden cabana canopy , contributes to the beach-like atmosphere . Margaritaville-themed table games surround the bar , while “ flair bartenders ” entertain guests with their cocktail-mixing performances and signature drink creations .
The Caribbean experience continues with the Margaritaville Café , themed retail store , and coffee shop ( the first in the Margaritaville portfolio ). The Café features a double-height space that showcases an island-themed oasis , complete with a seaplane , palm trees , a Stiltsville home , and a buoy-shaped stage for live musical performances .
The Margaritaville theme extends to Resorts ’ Boardwalk façade . To complement the ground-level masonry arches , original to the 1920s building , SOSH introduced arched glazed openings to the second story . The arched components provide elegant counterparts to the fantastical shark fin / wave frieze and island hut motif that adorn the Boardwalk elevation . Indeed , a variety of seemingly contradictory materials and textures — limestone , neon , brick , thatch — create an exciting and cohesive design that ties together old and new , solid and porous , heavy and light , Art Deco and island . The resulting façade serves as both a backdrop for and a participant in the Boardwalk ’ s lively performance .
The Landshark Bar & Grill capitalizes on its amazing beach location . The design features retractable walls to create views of the ocean and Boardwalk . Awnings on the outside deck shield
open-air diners from the summer sun and emit heat in cooler months . Linear wooden planks appear throughout the Bar & Grill , comprising a large portion of the interior floor , wall and ceiling surfaces as well as the outdoor deck . These wooden elements draw the Boardwalk itself into the restaurant and bar , creating continuity between interior and exterior . Guests experience the activity of the Boardwalk , beach and pier as one continuous celebration .
— PATRICK ROBERTS
OWNER : Resorts Casino Hotel ARCHITECTS OF RECORD : SOSH Architects INTERIOR DESIGNER : McBride Design GENERAL CONTRACTOR : Massett Construction TOTAL INVESTMENT : $ 35 million
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